Shining Waters Regional Council joins with other Regional Councils, the United Church of Canada, people of faith, and many other voices across Canada, in condemning the act of hatred and terrorism that killed three generations of a Muslim family in London, Ontario on Sunday, June 6.
We mourn the loss of the Afzaal family and express condolences to those bereaved. There is no place in Canada for such hatred. We stand in solidarity with our Muslim neighbours and condemn acts of hatred against all people.
Although only one man has been arrested in this particular act of murder, we acknowledge that there have been many situations of hatred and Islamophobia. We commit ourselves to the task of addressing systemic racism in our country.
We invite our communities of faith to reach out to local mosques and Muslim neighbours and to stand in solidarity with them. We also invite you to share the attached Moderator’s letter with your community of faith.
We join in the call for an immediate National Action Summit on Islamophobia, wherein federal, provincial, and municipal/territorial leaders come together to take immediate action on dismantling violent and systemic forms of Islamophobia.
“May the Most Compassionate and Most Merciful God dwell with those who have died in paradise, and give patience and blessing to those who mourn through this time of trial.”
– Rt. Rev. Dr. Richard Bott, Moderator of the United Church of Canada
David Leyton-Brown
President,
Shining Waters Regional Council, The United Church of Canada